Reviewed by Attorney Charles Panzarella
Buying a car is one of the biggest purchases many people make. However, some dealers resort to lies, deception, and legalized theft to make sales through high-pressure and fraudulent tactics.
If a car dealer tricked you into buying a defective vehicle or one that didn’t match their promises, you may have strong legal grounds to recover your losses.
This comprehensive guide will empower you to hold deceitful dealers accountable.
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Know the Warning Signs of a Shady Car Dealer
While most car dealers are ethical, be vigilant for these common tricks and red flags:
- Bait-and-switch pricing – Advertised prices are lowballed to get you on the lot, and then they pressure you into paying thousands more.
- Spot delivery scams – Dealer finances deal pending loan approval, have you sign papers and drive the car off immediately, then calls days later saying financing fell through so you must return the vehicle.
- Payment packing – The dealer hides extra fees and add-ons without consent by folding them into the monthly payments to obscure the true cost.
- Failure to disclose material defects – Hiding that a used car has been in accidents, has significant mechanical issues, or frame damage without informing the buyer.
If you experience bait-and-switch tactics, deal changes after leaving the lot, or discover serious undisclosed issues early on, you should consult an attorney immediately about your options.
An initial consultation is often free, but lawsuits face strict deadlines, so don’t delay seeking legal advice.
How Can An Attorney Help Sue A Dishonest Car Dealership?
Knowledgeable lemon law lawyers or auto fraud attorneys know how to successfully fight dealer misconduct and lies. They level the playing field against unscrupulous dealerships.
With an attorney’s representation, you can recover substantial damages or settlements through legal processes like mediation, arbitration, lawsuits, or out-of-court negotiation if warranted. Potential positive outcomes include:
- Full purchase price refund
- Exit or cancel the purchase contract
- Make the dealer pay for repairs
- Financial compensation for fraud or violations
Attorneys also know how to navigate the complexity of state laws. For example, California’s lemon law covers specific remedies for new vehicles with recurring significant defects likely to cause breakdowns. But it varies for used vehicles with undisclosed issues.
An experienced lawyer would determine the strongest legal avenues to pursue under fraud, consumer protection, warranty, or other applicable laws to build the most compelling case with precedent strategies.
“We’ve successfully argued many auto fraud cases for clients under a patchwork of laws,” notes Pauliana Lara, a noted attorney with over 10 years of expertise in dealer litigation.
Does Suing Car Dealerships For Fraud Often Succeed?
Research suggests consumers can often achieve positive results when legally pursuing justice against tricking car dealerships.
In a 2022 Consumer Reports investigation, researchers discovered that nearly 50% of surveyed car buyers experienced some form of bait-and-switch, overpayment, or failure to disclose during their car-buying process.
Some persistent consumers later sued the dealers and achieved favorable outcomes.
On average, around 25% of lawsuits against auto dealers result in plaintiff victories, with settlements ranging from $3,000 to over $10,000, depending on the case’s specifics. Many disputes are also settled through mediation for undisclosed sums.
So, between legal precedents, studies citing frequent dealer deception, and customer verification – evidence points to fighting against unethical dealers as a viable recourse option for financial recovery for many wronged car buyers.
Act Immediately – Consult An Attorney About Your Case
If a car dealership has lied to you or knowingly sold you a faulty vehicle, the clock starts ticking fast for legal action. Don’t accept the loss. Seize back control by exercising your consumer rights.
The first step is to get a free case assessment from a top consumer attorney to determine accurate options. Share all relevant details and documents.
An expert lawyer can evaluate the merits of your specific situation, advise if substantial grounds exist to recover losses, and vigorously represent your interests every step of the way based on extensive experience.
Many past clients confirm things like:
“They were super good at helping us out! Please spend your time here and trust their process. Fanny was excellent, patient, and super sweet. They are the best at what they do, you won’t get anything like this anywhere else. Thank you guys so much!!!!”
“Matt and Fanny were amazing… They really fought for justice in my case .. I would recommend consumer action law group to anybody… Thanks for being so diligent and fighting for us!”
Take back power lost in dealings with an untruthful dealership. Know your rights, and fight back.